Villa Bonita

Villa Bonita is a seven-story residential building in Spanish Colonial style containing 24 apartments with casement windows and a marble-floored lobby. The building still houses residents today and retains original features like its vintage elevator and period mailboxes.

The Spanish Colonial Revival building was designed by Frank Webster in 1929 for Sidney Ullman, who managed business affairs for prominent actors of the era. Its construction during the late 1920s reflects Hollywood's rapid growth during the early sound film period.

The building housed people who worked in the film industry and remains a visible part of the Hollywood neighborhood today. Visitors can observe how the architecture reflects the way entertainment professionals lived during that era.

The building is located north of Franklin Avenue near Hillcrest Road and is easily visible from the surrounding streets. Visitors should note this is an active residential building, so access to the interior is limited to public areas.

The building was home to Francis Ford Coppola and other film talents, demonstrating its role as a residence for creative minds working in Hollywood. The fact that it was also designated as a production base for Cecil B. DeMille's team highlights its special place in early Hollywood history.